Electrolytic apparatus.



W. B. THORPE. ELECTROLYTIC APPARATUS. AIHJOATIOI run ma. 1:, 1000.

1,002,882. mm m 12, 191 1,-

5 SEEETHIBE'I 1.,

W; B. THORPE.

BLECTBOLYTIQAPPABATUS. Arm-mum! ruin we. 1;, 1000.

1,602,882. v P mntea Sept 12,1911.

w; B. THORPE.

ELECTROLYTIC APPARATUS. APPLIOATIOI IILBD AUG. 18, 1909.

Patented Sept. 12, 1911.

WILFRED BERTRAM THOBPE, OF BALHAJSI, LONDON, ENGLAND.

ELECTROLYTIC APEARAT US.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed August 18, 1909. "Serial No. 513,479.

"Patented Sept. 12, 1911.

To all whom it may concern: I Be it known that I, \VILFREI) BER'I'RAMI.liiourn, a subject of the King of Great Brit ain and Ireland, rcsiding;at Tialhain, in the county of London, England, have inventedImprovements in Electrolytic Apparatus, of which the following is" aspecification.

This invention: hil s reference to that kind of electrolytic apparatussuitable for use-as or in the construction of meters; twitches, andother electrical appa 'atus, wherein an electric. current passed throughsuch apparatus; i-uuscs electrolysis of a. liquid, foreX- ampleacidulated water or an alkali, and the 1 evolution of game, for exampleoxygen and hydrogen,

In the specification of another application for Let-tern Patent filcdbymcNo, 471,936, 1' havcxle cribed constructions of electrolytic{apparatus of the kind referred to whereby anch amparatus is renderedpractically avail able for use as or 'in the construction of *inctel.recorders, switchesv and other apprira'tus In the use of suchelectrolytic appagt ratns; withpositive and negative electric euppl,"conductors and clcotroqnagnetic n'reans air fo 'ieratinglllflclltllll'illll, fdncxainple re cording mechanism, as in aregistering cl t city meter. andfor causin ignition of all the evolved lcs, therc ism-d riljcd in the said. fornicr 1 unification, {theco'ml'iination with the. electrolytic cell andrlcctric supplyfjonduclors, oi a shunt arrangement comprisin twocuual and parallelresihtaiiccs con ncctcd at one end to opposite (Ends of the ordtinarvmain shunting resistance in series 0lll( .ll',t?ll l to one end of athird rcsistanrc. lfhciothcrrnd of which is connected to the loot-cold].chuitric supply main, the electrodes ofth'e clcctroljytic cell beingconnected acrosn thccnds of that one of the t gvo parallclrcf-ilSlltTlCPfi that is on the din .uno or supply sideof the mainshunting reni'etmncc and in is arranged tobo M. 'l of h ouratclyinconnection with an electric supply circuitsubject to va-ryir'ig voltagewithin ordinar permissible limits, so that record ing or other apparatusused with and controlled by such an electrolytic apparatus shall beaccurately operated notwithstanding: varying voltage conditions. Forthis purpose, according to one way of carrying out the present inventionthere is used in conjunction with electrolytic apparatus of the kindreferred to connected up between one end of the shunting resistance andthe h gh resistance across the supplyconductors and adapted to controlrecording or other apparatus and it may be an igniting device, asheretofore, a second electrolytic cell (hereinafter called fordistinction air absorption cell) that is coni'iectcd up bctwcc-n thehigh resistance and the other end of the shunting rcnislance on theconznunp'tiou side thereof, the two cells being thus connected inparzdhil i-vith cach other and in .ecrics with the high resistanceacross the positive and negative upply conductors. 'lhc two cells andthc niain shuntii'ig rcsistanccarc preteralily connected to the neg'tivc supply conductor, and. the main or registering cell has;preferably in circuit therewith, aslwrclofore, a high rcsmtancr formljust-lncnt or elimination ol, lion: and temperature errors. In. theaccompanying illustrative drawingr, Figurrs l to linclusiveshow,diagram- .naticnlly, various arraiulcn:culs: of electrolyticapparatus llllbfltllflllg (he prcecnti nvcnlion, high, I to 3 showingthe aprmratus adaptcd tor unr as a registering motor and lQign-el; formic as a switch,

Tu Fig. l, (L w is thc hunt tube of an cloctrolylic device and a. themain or rcgislcring clm-trolylic (:cll therein charged with. ulcclrolylcand provided with rmnitivc and negative electrodes (2, 7) arranged in acir-' cult-that inrludcs .a main high resistance in. and an adjustablehigh resistance m, and is adapted lo l e-connected, when the lnctcl isto he used, as a shunt across the positive and negative electric supplymains -l.:, k 'rcspoctivcly, the co'n'iicction toone of these mainsrapid evolution of gases in the cell a for deand 1p area'cspccti'velythe winding and core m and electrode 1'), and also to a fixed conbeingmade at one end t of the ordinary main shunting resistance 1. Thisresistance l is preferably arranged in the negative supply main A1 asshown is an electromagnet the winding of which is connected across themains t, /i:' when the gases evolved in the cell a cause the n'iercurycolumn f in the tube a, a to rise in the contact chamber w'" of. theelectrolytic device and bring a contact 7%, carried by a heat it,against the fixed contact h, the electro-magnet, when en crgizcd actingthrough it: armature i and an arm a and rod or to operate theregistering or recording mechanism jof the meter heretofore. Y

The electrolytic device shown is constructed in the manner described inmy said former specification, and comprises a bent tube havingconstricted portions a, a, one of whielnnamelyc, contains a fine thread.of electrolyte to form a high resistance between the electrodes [2, band the mercury f, rings 6, e of platinum forming al'luid tight jointwith thc-n'iercury, and a contact g projecting into the bulb a so as tobe in contact with the mercuryf and connected to the negative electrode6 g is a second negatii e contact projecting into the contact chamberaso as to come into connection with the mercury 7 when it enters thatchamber and form a second connection therewith; The evolved gases arepreferably ignited by a spark produced between the surface of theelectrolyte (Z and a terminal arranged above it, and preferably formedby the negative electrode 5 according to the invention forming thesubject of another application for patent No. 513,480 filed by me oneven date herewith, the ig niting spark being produced when. the surfaceof the electrolyte d, under the action of the evolved gases, falls belowthe electrode b which is arranged vertically. 0

of ,an inductive device, the winding being connected to the $l1l1l1t;11(;ll1l7'0f the electrolytic device at a point between the resistancetact q against which. the armature lever n bears, when attracted by theelectro-magnct '5, a", so as to close a circuit directly acrossthe'mains 7:, at this time and cause a more pressing the electrolyte dbclo'w 'the electrode h for producing the igi'iiting spark which will bereinforced by the inductive action of the device 0, 72', also'asdescribed in the said other specification filed on even date herewith.The 'shu'nt circuit including the electrodes 6, b" and resistances m, mmay include a switch r that is opened automatically when the arm n isattracted by the eleetro-magnet i, i, so as to cut the resistances m, mout of circuit when the cell a is connected across the means la, lathrough the inductive device 0, p for the purpose mentioned. in is theabsorption cell connected to the said shunt circuit at a point u betweenthe resistances m, m and to the end t of the main shunting rcsist'ance ton the consun'lption. or lamp side 1) thereof, so that the mainabsorption cell "1 are connected in parallel with each other mross thepositive and negative supply mains and in series with the mainresistance m.

The absorption cell in comprises two plates 0:, Q2- of metal, preferablynickel, immersed in an electrolyte, preferably a solution of causticsoda. In making up this tll'JFiOIPtlOIl cell care should be taken that(I) the plates at, w are large in proportion to the electrodes b, b inthemain cell (1 (II) that the internal resistance of the cell w is smallcmnpared to that of the cell a and (III) that, the two foregoingconditions being complied with, the plates are-large enougl'i to takeany variation of voltage, within say a limit of 10% (ten per cent.) ofthe normal voltage, without the voltage drop across the platesmaterially altering. By this means, if the plates 00,50 be made ofvcomparatively large size, say each about one square inch in area,considerable variation of'the voltage across the electric mains in, kwill cause no variation in. the circuit of the main cell at andtherefore no error in the working of this cell will take place byriaasbn of such voltage variation, so that such cell will accuratelyregister ampere hours. In this case the shunt resistance 11,(hereinafter called the parallel resistance) connected be-- tween thepoints a and t as in the formerarrangement ofapparatus hereinbefo-rereferred to, may be omitted, as indicated in Fig. 2, but in order toreduce the amount of electrolytic action in the absorption cell, it isin all cases preferred to use this resistance. The internal resistanceof theabsorption cell w can also be so adjusted, asby increasing orreducing the distance apart of the plates at, w, or by varying thesize'of such plates, or the density of the electrolyte m whichever maybenecessary, owing to the internal resistance of the main (5. Zgister mgcell a, that the resistance of the main or registering cell a and the'cell circuitwill be caused to vary in proportion to the variationinvoltajge.

The absorption cell may be looked upon as a gas cell in which the backE. M. F.

depends upon the size of the plates and the current passing through suchplates. With plates of moderate size, the back E. M. F. will vary withcurrents of from say about .O'lA to .1A (decimal nought. one to decimalone ampere), such'as would result with voltage variation within a limitof say 10% oft-henormal voltage when using a sufficiently hlghresistance (m although ractically no,difference in the back E. I. F. ofthe-cell i so i to two ampeiies.

would result with currents of from say one By utilizing suchvaryingbacl; E. M. 1*. set up with varying current through the-.\bsorption cell, due to \"arying vt'iltage above or below the normal,the back 1*. M. F. of the main (Jr-registering cell will be caused tovary proportionately to. such voltage variation, as the absm'ption cellis connected in parallel with it and in series with the high resistance(at). In p actiee it is advisable to avoid. as far as possible, havingto relill the absorption cell with electrolyte from time to time, owingto evolution of gases, unless the evolved gases areto be recombined byignition. 'lllnurefore it is necessary that the evolution of gas shouldbe as small as possible and for this reason the resistance in ispreferably coi'inected across the terminals of the absorption cell. lhecombined absorption cell and parallel resistance may be regarded as tworesistances in parallel with iaoh other,'

one of which, being of wire. varies as the current going through it.while the other does not; vary with the current. The result is that byadjusting the parallel resistaiure It, an accurate registration in theregistering cell can be obtained with a variation of voltage within theabove mentioned limits. In this way the apparatus can be adapted toserve as a wait hour meter instead of an ampere hour evolution of thegases being altered proportionately to the rise or fall of the voltageabove or below the normal ltage. For a watt hour meter. each plate a, a"may be about one quarter of a square inch in area. The main resistancein and the parallel resistance u are adjusted for the voltage that themeter is designed lior. It. is preferred.

where possible. to adjust the two resistances mand i/ to suit the lowestrange of voltage supplied. 'llien'rquiriul internal resistance of theabsorption ccil we can be determined by testing themeter at ditt'ercntvoltages in comparison with a standard meter. the internal resistance otthe absorption cell be ing varied until the readings atditl'ere-ntvoltages are; practically m'curatettn' the electric energy supplied. Theresistance In is adjustcd'to cause the registering cell (F to act at thedesired rate tor a given consumption of electrical energy. say onceevery hour for each unit of electricity supplied.

.-i\n" absorption cell such as described can be usedinvariousarrangements ot' shunts "for electric meters. 'lhus. Fig. 3 showsa si'mila :n'raHgcnicnt to Fig. 2 but in which a resistance In" isplaced in,shunt across the main cell a and its resistance In in addition to the resistance H across the absorption cell in.

'lhc gases evolved in the absorption cell in by electrolysis can. itrequired, be recombined in a manner similar to that. in which meter.the. time taken in the the gases evolved in the main cell a arerecombined. The recombining of the gases in the absorption cell 10 byignition may be d is pensed with by forming the plates w, m of catalyticplatinum which, owing to the absorbing power thereof, gives ottpractically no gas with the very small current which is passed throughthe cell, and what little is given off, it readily reeombines. It mayalso be desirable to practically prevent evolutionoi. gases in theabsorption call when using nickel electrodes. This can be done by makingthe resistance in so great that the current passing through theabsorption cell will be so small that 'nactically no gases will be givenof? in such cell. The-resistances inf andm are ,or may also be made sogreat that practically no will be given tilt in the main cell when nocurrent is being suppliedto the lamp circuit a. Apparatus such as shownin Figs. .1, and instead of being used to operate a counting device jfor registering the quantity of electricity consumed, may be adapted foruse for other nn'poses, as for example for. operating an. automaticswitch, for example a switch that will operate after the electrolyticapparatus has acted a given number of times, and close or open an electric switch for switching on or switching otl' electric or other lampsor for performing some other useful work. Fig. '4 shows an arrangementfor this purpose wl'ierein the lever 11. is provided with a pawl T toengage teeth 8' on a disk 5) provided. with adjustable tappets 10 and1.1; the pawl 7 engaging the disk and rotating it a step bytbe action ofa spring a each time the lever u is released after being attracted bythe electroinagnet 1?, 2' The tappet it) is arranged to engage, at therequired time, an arm 12 lived on a switch lever l3 and more this leverin the direction of the. a rrow. against the action of a weight H, andclose a circuit between two romluctors l5 and It) through a switchcomprising mercury cups IT and a movable contact l8 on the lever. whichis then held in the closed position by the notched upper end of a.pivoted catch 19 engaging a pin 20 on the lever. The tappet .1 isarranged to dis engage the catch it from thepin 20 at the required timeand allow the weight It to open the switch 1T--li$'.'

'hat 1. claim is:-

l. lllectrolytic apparatus comprising a circuit having three branchesadapted to be connected as a shunt between two electric supply mains.oneof said branches having therein a. high resistance and designed Forconncct-ion'to one of said mains and the other two branches beingdesigned for connection to the second supply main. and each havingtherein an electrolytic cell.

2. ltllectrolytic apparatus comprising a. circuit having threebranchesadapted to be connected as a shunt between two electric 1 supplymains, one of said. branches includmg a high resistance and designed forcon- "nection to one main and the other two branches being designed forconnection to the second supply main, one of these two ln-anches havingin. circuit therewith a main registering electrolytic cell and the otherhaving in circuit therei-vith an absorption cell comprising anelectrolyte and metal plates, said plates being large in prr.)portiontothe electrodes in the main. cell, the internal resistance oftheabsorption cell being small compared to that of the main cell and thesize of the plates being such that, any rise in voltage, Within a prc-.leter1nined limit, between the ends of said sl'iunt will not cause anymaterial voltage drop across the plates.

3. Electrolytic apparatus comprising a circuit having three l'lranchesadapted to be connected as a shunt between two electric absorption cellElectrolytic apparatus comprising a n'iain electrolytic cell and ajhighresistance arranged in series with each other and adapted to beconnected in a shunt circuit across electric supply mains, a mainshunting resistance adapted to be includedin cir cuit with one of saidsupply mains and to' one end of ivhich said main. electrolytic cell isconnected, and a second electrolytic or absorption cell connected inseries with said high resistance and to the opposite end of saidmain'sl.1u1 1ting resistance, substantially as described.

: resistance and to the opposite end of said,

main slum'ting resistance, and a low I'QSISlk ""ance connected acrossthe tcrnnnals of said 5. Electrolytic apparatus comprising a mainelectrolytic cell. and a high resistance arranged. in. series tvith eachother and adapted to be connected in ashunt circuit across QlG'CtIIlC'supply mains, a mam shunting resistance adapted to' be ii'icliuled inci-rcuit with one of said supply mains and to one end of which said mainelectrolytic cell is connected, a second electrolytic or absor 'n troncell connected in series with sa d highv absorption cell. v-

(5, Electrolytic apparatus comprising a main electrolytic cell, a mainhigh resistance and an adjustable high resistance connected in seriesWith each other and adapted to be connected in a shunt circuit acrosselectric supply mains a second electrolytic or absorption cell connectedto said shunt circuit and an adjustable high resistance connected inseries with each other andv adapted to be connected in a shuntcircuitacross electric supply mains a main shunting resistance adaptedto be included in circuit with one of said supply mains and to one endof which said main electrolytic cell is connected, a second electrolyticor absorption cell connccted to said. slnint circuit. between the mainand adjustable resistances and to the second end ofsa'id main shuntingresistance, and a low resistance connected across the termi'- nals o'fsaidabsorption cell.

8. Electrolytic apparatus coin 'nrising a.

shunt'circuit adapted to be connected across electric supply mains andcomprising three branches, a mail-i high resistance included in onebranch, a main electrolytic cell with an adjustable high resistanceincluded in a second branch and a second electrolytic or absorptioncell. included in the third branch, a low resistance connected acrosssaid main cell and adjustable resistance, and a low re sistanceconnected across the terminals of said absorption cell.

9. Electrolytic apparatus comprising a main shunting resistance adaptedto be con neeted in circuit With one of two current supply mains, mainelectrolytic cell, a main higlrrcsistance and an adjustable highresistance arranged in series with each other I toform a shunt circuitthat is connected at one end to the said main shunting resistance ,onthe dynamo side thereof and is designed to be connected atthe other endto the second supply main, a second electrolytic or ab sorption cellconnected to the other end of said main shunting resistance and to theshunt circuit between the main andadjustable resistances, a lowresistanceconnected across said main cell and adjustable resistance, anda low resistance connected across the terminals of said abstuj tiorcell.

Signed at London, Engli'ind this 30th day of July 1909.

WILFRED BER. RAM 'rnonrn. Witnesses T. L. RAND, 1L0. WILLTAMS.

